July 30, 2010

Girl Receives Rare Liver Transplant at Children’s

Casper Star-Tribune

Aliyah Ketchum, 1, was born with a rare liver condition called biliary atresia - a disease that causes the body to attack the bile ducts that connect the liver to the small intestine and ultimately causes the liver to shut down.

“Without treatment, children with biliary atresia will die within the first 18 months of life,” said Michael Narkewicz, MD, medical director of the Pediatric Liver Transplant Program at Children's Hospital Colorado.

Ketchum underwent a 12-hour surgery at Children's Hospital Colorado to receive a new liver. Afterwards, her parents noticed the color returning to her cheeks and that she had more energy. Ketchum will continue to undergo medical testing, but the transplant is a big step forward in her treatment.

Read more about Aliyah’s surgery and recovery at Children's Hospital Colorado.

Learn more about liver transplant care at Children’s.

Contact the Media Relations Staff

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